Lansingburgh, N. Y., Feb. 12, 1896.
My Dear Teacher and Leader:—Your letter in the February Journal searches us deep. You whip us hard, Love wields the rod. What disappointment we have caused you! How wearily you have turned from your students to God, who never fails you! Yet I think if you knew of the real devotion to the cause, of the honest efforts to be ruled by Divine Love, of the forgiveness and humility which are destroying passion and pain, and the earnest striving after unity with God which mark the advancing footsteps of many of your children, it would comfort you.
In our church at Troy Love is markedly present. No harsh criticism, no complaint of others, no bitterness nor injured sense of personality disturbs the student. There are no quarrels to be straightened nor jealousy to be rebuked. It is so peaceful and holy there that healing is often done at the services, yet so gently it never causes wonder. We linger as long as we may, to tell another and yet another experience, and faces beam as we pass each other in the street. I have been grieved many times because our numbers are so small. No other student of yours whom I know has worked so long and steadily with so small a showing; but I feel sure of a good foundation. We are surely gaining ground in the esteem of the people.
